A friend, a father, a legend
May 19, 2022
Proof. Rap artist, and best friend to Rap God Eminem. Born with the name DeShaun Dupree Holton on October 2nd, 1973 in Detroit, Michigan. He was raised by his single mother Pepper Holton. His father McKinley Jackson wrote music for Rock Bands before leaving his son behind.
DeShaun went to a private school before starting at Osbourne High. He would eventually meet Marshall Mathers(Eminem) and together they shared their love of Hip Hop music. DeShaun took up the name Proof. He and Eminem joined the rap group Soul Internet.
Soul Internet consisted of Proof, Eminem, DJ Buttafingas and Chaos Kid. Aside from that group he was a part of 5 Elementz with Thyme and Mudd. In 1996 he joined D12. Working with them on their debut The Underground EP. He also worked with Eminem on the Underground debut Infinite.
In 2004 Proof was arrested for public possession of firearms alongside Royce da 5’9. They served 30 days bunking in the same cell working out their beef. Earlier in his life, he was arrested for shooting paintballs.
Proof was shot on April 11, 2006, at the CCC club while playing pool. He got into a fight with other customers there. One of the customers named Mario Etheridge pulled out a gun. And shot first. Proof was shot 4 times in the head and chest area. He died immediately.
After he died his mother started the Proof Foundation to keep his memory alive through his music and D12 performances. Eminem has mentioned Proof in his songs, You’re Never Over, and Going Through Changes.
According to (Team), a quote by Eminem states “He pushed me to become who I am. Without Proof’s guidance and encouragement there would have been a Marshall Mathers, but probably not an Eminem and certainly never a Slim Shady. Not a day will go by without his spirit and influence around us all. He will be missed as a friend, father, and both the heart and ambassador of Detroit hip-hop.”